NBU — Non-Occupational Accident Insurance
NBU (Nichtberufsunfallversicherung) is mandatory accident insurance covering employees outside work hours. Every Swiss employer must arrange it for all employees, whether full-time or part-time. Costs and coverage rules vary by canton and insurance provider.
NBU — non-occupational accident insurance — covers medical costs and income replacement if an employee is injured outside work. A skiing accident, a fall at home, or a car crash on the weekend: NBU applies. This is separate from occupational accident insurance (BU).
Swiss law (Bundesgesetz über die Unfallversicherung, UVG) mandates NBU for every employee. Your obligation is absolute, regardless of Pensum or employment length. Failure to arrange NBU exposes you to significant penalties and leaves your employee unprotected.
When NBU comes up in hiring
NBU becomes your responsibility the moment you sign an employment contract. Even a probationary employee or someone on a 20% Pensum needs coverage. You cannot opt out or delay: coverage must be active from day one.
Most employers arrange NBU through a group policy with one insurance provider. Some cantons (notably Zurich, Basel-Stadt, and Valais) run state-monopoly accident insurers (SUVA, Concordia, Valais State Insurance). Check your canton's requirements before signing a new provider.
- Mandatory for all employees, part-time and full-time, from contract start
- Covers accidents 24/7 outside the workplace
- Employer pays the full premium; it is not deducted from wages
- Coverage must run continuously; gaps create legal liability for you
- Your insurer issues a policy number and sends certificates to employees
- Claim process is straightforward: employee reports via insurer portal or telephone
Your employer obligations
You must arrange a valid NBU policy before the first day of employment. Keep proof of coverage (policy document, premium receipt, certificate) for all employees. If asked, produce documentation within 48 hours — tax authority or labour inspectorate may request it.
Update your insurer immediately when headcount changes. Notify them of terminations, significant Pensum reductions, or leave periods. Failure to report changes can void claims or trigger premium adjustments and back-billing.
- Secure a group policy (or confirm your canton's state insurer covers you)
- Pay the full premium from company budget; no wage deduction allowed
- Provide each employee a copy of their certificate of coverage
- Report all new hires, departures, and role changes to your insurer quarterly
- Store policy documents and claim confirmations for seven years
- If employee is injured, ensure they contact the insurer within 30 days of the accident
The single most common mistake
Many small employers assume their cantonal employer association (like a trade federation) or landlord's insurance covers their staff. It does not. You are personally liable for arranging and paying NBU, even if you hire only one person.
The second mistake: delaying or forgetting to update the insurer when an employee leaves. You pay for coverage you no longer need, and you lose the paper trail if disputes arise. Track all changes in a simple hiring checklist.
- Assuming an umbrella or group policy covers NBU automatically — confirm in writing
- Failing to provide each employee their certificate of coverage
- Not updating the insurer when staff depart, reducing costs unnecessarily
- Mixing NBU premiums into a general 'insurance' line without itemizing them
- Relying on verbal assurance from an agent instead of requesting policy documents
- Waiting until an accident occurs to verify coverage is active — by then it may be too late
Frequently asked questions
- Can I deduct NBU premium from employee wages?
- No. NBU is a statutory employer obligation and cost. The employer pays the full premium. Deducting any part from an employee's salary is unlawful and may trigger a labour-court claim or cantonal labour inspection penalty.
- What happens if an employee is injured but I forgot to arrange NBU?
- The insurer will deny the claim. You become personally liable for all medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost-income compensation. Penalties from the cantonal labour authority and potential civil liability follow. Arrange coverage immediately if you discover a gap.
- Does NBU cover employees working from home or traveling abroad on company business?
- Yes, as long as the accident is non-occupational (i.e., not while performing work duties). A fall at a home office, or a traffic accident en route to a business meeting, is still covered by NBU. Confirm your policy terms with your insurer for edge cases.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.